Through 19 carefully sequenced lessons and activities, this unit gets middle schoolers ready for next-level learning. Students explore what happens at the molecular level so they can understand how living things grow and repair their body structures. Using Legos, ball-and-stick models, videos, and print manipulatives helps them retain what they learn so they can apply that knowledge later. Both effective and engaging, Toward High School Biology - Draws on a research-based development approach. Multiple cycles of design and revision based on results from classroom field tests, feedback from teachers, expert scientific input, and criteria-based evaluations ensure the high quality of the unit. - Takes an interdisciplinary approach. Lessons focus on phenomena related to chemical reactions that take place in both physical and life science contexts, from the rusting of a metal bicycle to the production of muscles in humans. - Supports the Next Generation Science Standards. All three dimensions of science learning--science and engineering practices, disciplinary core ideas, and crosscutting concepts--are carefully integrated in each chapter. - Is refreshingly easy to use. The Student Edition should be used in conjunction with the Teacher Edition, which provides complete lesson plans and instructions for carrying out the activities. Complementary video demonstrations and tutorials are available online. Toward High School Biology, Student Edition provides the materials you need to guide your students through these investigations. With lesson details, teacher facilitation pages, and handouts, your students will be ready to start investigating.